Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) is seeking an experienced Consultant to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the “Improved Civil Society Capacity for Research Based Advocacy” project funded by European Union.

Background

CVC is a regional coalition of over 40 civil society organizations working with populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. These include sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender persons, people who use drugs, people living with HIV/AIDS, migrant populations, incarcerated persons and ex-prisoners, and marginalized youth. These groups are subjected to high levels of stigma and discrimination. They also lack the social and legal protection afforded other members of society and are socially excluded because their behavior may be deemed deviant or criminal.

CVC has a long-standing commitment to addressing a concentrated epidemic through rights-based approaches using community-systems strengthening and influencing duty-bearers to take action to reduce human rights violations and increase investment in key populations.

On October 28, 2015, CVC signed a two-year project with the European Union, with contract number: 2015/367-369 aimed at strengthening the role played by civil society in Jamaica in promoting human rights and democratic governance through the following :

Project Goal

To consolidate democracy and respect for human rights by building civil society capacity to monitor and advocate across a range of issues and, in particular, fortifying their response to violations of the rights of vulnerable populations including women.

Project Objectives

To enhance CSO capacity to improve data collection and undertake research in order to better inform and drive improved advocacy efforts aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating the drivers of stigma and discrimination and thus reducing associated rights violations.

To empower partner organisations, particularly community-based organisations working with vulnerable populations affected by human rights abuses, to hold duty bearers to account for the consequences of their policies.

Scope of Work of the Evaluation Consultant

CVC is contracting the services of a Consultant to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the project entitled: “Improved Civil Society for Research Based Advocacy” The evaluation should measure the implementation and results of activities and outputs related to the project goals and objectives. The evaluation should include the assessment of participants, facilitators, advisors, and other stakeholders from the project who were integral to the project activities and outcomes.

Key Evaluation Questions

Determine to what degree the project outcomes and outputs have been achieved and whether there were any unexpected outcomes?

Determine who has benefitted (primary and secondary beneficiaries) and in what ways

Assess the extent to which value for money has been achieved in the implementation of project activities; exploring if the same results could have been achieved for less money and the extent of any obvious links between expenditures and project outputs/outcomes

Determine strengths (including successful innovations and promising practices) and weaknesses of the planning, design, implementation, monitoring and learning process, and quote what beneficiaries think of the project design and implementation.

Assess to what extent the project has contributed to the response

Provide actionable, specific and practical strategic recommendations on how CVC/ JCSC and its partners can use the learning to strengthen future work

Required Competencies

A Master’s Degree in Public Health, Public Sector Management, Development Studies or related Social Science field.

Minimum 5 years’ experience in conducting project assessment and evaluations, with strong experience in data collection and the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.

Specific and demonstrable experience in:

Developing data collection tools

Monitoring and evaluation reporting

Value for money analysis

Conducting analysis of policies and programmes around human rights, governance and accountability

In-depth understanding of the intersectionalities of human rights, governance and accountability

Creative and effective data presentation

A strong commitment to delivering timely and high-quality results and comprehensive reporting

Experience with vulnerable populations

Good communication skills and ability to communicate with various stakeholders and to express concisely and clearly ideas and concepts.

Evaluation Period

The evaluation is to be conducted over a one (1) month period and should not last more than ten (10) working days.

Key Deliverables & Timeframe

Activities

Description

Timeframe

Conduct a desk review of project documents, including, contracts, reports, workshop assessments, interim and other reports emanating from the project

Collect documents from the project team and conduct an in-depth analysis, with the intention of assessing programme goals and objectives.

An inception report highlighting a more detailed plan of the evaluation methods and questions.

Draft report should present comprehensive findings and assessment of the project, including the gaps that exist and recommendations to improve future implementation. The following should be taken into consideration:

About the CVC

About Us

Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC) is a coalition of community leaders and non-governmental agencies providing services directly to and on behalf of Caribbean populations who are especially vulnerable to HIV infection or often forgotten in access to treatment and healthcare programmes.